about joel ard

Joel Ard assists clients in resolving complex civil disputes. Joel litigates intellectual property disputes, including infringement, licensing, and import/export IP issues. Joel also litigates constitutional law, civil rights, and election and voting law cases, particularly focusing on issues arising under Washington’s state constitution and elections law. For six consecutive years, Joel’s colleagues have recognized his dedication to clients and long record of professional success by nominating and confirming him as a Washington SuperLawyer.

Joel graduated in 1995 from the New Program at St. John’s College, Annapolis, after matriculating at the Santa Fe campus. He received his JD from the University of Chicago Law School in 2000. Between college and law school, he worked at the United States House of Representatives Banking Committee. During his first summer of law school he externed with Judge David Hansen of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. He began practice in the DC office of Latham & Watkins, then worked for the Voting Rights Section of the United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division. Joel has been a member of the Washington Advisory Committee to the United States Committee on Civil Rights since 2014.

Joel returned to private practice in Washington in 2008, and now lives on Bainbridge Island. If his three children spare him time, he enjoys woodworking or homebrewing with his father. An Eagle Scout himself, he is particularly proud of the nearly two dozen young men who have earned the Eagle rank through their leadership of major service projects around the Island during his tenure as committee chair for Troop 1496.